The planning and zoning commission in Pacific, Mo., voted unanimously last week to recommend an amendment to the city’s zoning code that would allow self-storage developments in commercial (C-2) districts as a conditional use. Self-storage is currently considered an industrial use in the area, but that definition mostly applies to large, unmanned storage buildings that do not have a manager’s office, according to the source.

The amendment recommended by city staff describes self-storage as a “building or group of buildings consisting of individual self-contained units leased to individuals, organizations or businesses for self-storage of personal property,” the source reported.

The commission’s recommendation coincides with a potential self-storage project from local developer Bud LaMar, who wants to build a facility on Hogan Street, which is zoned for commercial use. Planner Todd Streiler said LaMar wanted to wait until the zoning amendment is approved by the city before formally bringing his storage project forward.

Streiler and city engineer Dan Rahn recommended the amendment, believing self-storage is best suited along commercial arterials with high visibility, instead of industrial parks where they have historically been zoned.

“Self-storage facilities are considered to be desirable and convenient to the community, but due to their nature or operation may have a detrimental effect upon the potential development of other properties,” city officials said in a staff report. “Therefore, staff recommends permitting ‘Self-Storage’ as a conditional use in the city’s C-2 arterial commercial district.”

The recommendation approved by the zoning commission also includes a list of considerations officials should examine before approving a project, such as buffering, security fencing, traffic flow, outside storage, onsite employees and the size of storage units.

The proposed amendment would have no effect on self-storage facilities already operating in the city. The commission’s recommendation will next be considered by the city’s board of aldermen.